The Italian strawberry has long secured its year-round presence on the market, but berries are also increasingly extending their availability. These days, Italian fruit and vegetable markets feature a good supply of raspberries and blackberries from southern Italy, with high-quality products and interesting prices.
At the Bergamo market: Blackberries and raspberries from Basilicata at €20 per kilo
Federico Fapanni, operator at the Ortobergamo company, active in the wholesale market of Bergamo, is enthusiastic about the quality of the goods arriving from Basilicata. "I’ve never eaten such good blackberries before. Excellent product, priced at €20 per kilo." Good news for Italian products.
Raspberries from Basilicata are also performing well: "Large, sweet, of the Shani variety, and with revamped packaging—an elegant design chosen by Compagnia delle Primizie. The price hovers around €20 per kilo."
Strawberries: Marimbella from Basilicata and products from Marsala
When it comes to strawberries, Fapanni has no doubts: "The Marimbella variety is the best at the moment, with prices so far ranging from €26 to €28 per crate of 2 kg, although prices are beginning to decline." In recent weeks, strawberries from Marsala in Sicily have also been available in Bergamo.
Prices at the Verona market
Andrea Bonizzi, agronomist and price list manager at the Verona market, outlines the situation: "During the festive season, Italian strawberries surpassed €20 per crate, equivalent to 2 kg of product. Prices then began to drop to €18–15 per crate, resulting in a price range of €7–9 per kilo for southern Italian products, depending on quality."
Raspberries, meanwhile, range from €19 to €21, with an average of €20 per kilo. Blueberries are less expensive, ranging from €15 to €16 per kilo. Blackberries from Portugal are priced between €18 and €20, similar to red currants.
Prices in other markets: Raspberries from Basilicata, Morocco, and Portugal
Italian markets source products from multiple origins. In Bologna, raspberries from Morocco and Portugal are priced between €17 and €19. Additional quotes include: Florence (Morocco €14–18; Portugal €16–18), Padua (Basilicata €22; Morocco €15).
Blueberries from Peru: Prices range from €12 to €20 per kilo
Blueberries are predominantly Peruvian, with a wide price range. In Bergamo, the price is €12. In Bologna and Cesena, prices rise to €17–20. In Florence, they drop to €13–16.
Blackberries primarily from Mexico, with some from Italy
Italian markets mainly feature Mexican blackberries, averaging €20 per kilo, with peaks of €24 in Cesena and Rimini. Italian blackberries are available in Padua with a good price of €22 per kilo.
Italian red currants in cold storage
Red currants are presented as Italian cold-stored products, awaiting supplies from the southern hemisphere. On average, they are priced at €20 in Bologna, Cesena, and Naples. Prices rise to €26 in Rimini, dropping to €22 in Rome.
Source: myfruit.it
